At eleven o'clock, Davis entered the Nexora Systems boardroom.
Two men were waiting for him.
The first, Adrian Wells, was a forty-five-year-old software engineer who had founded the company.
The second, Marcus Hale, was a wealthy investor who had financed its early development.
They had spent the previous year fighting over control of the business.
Adrian wanted to protect the company's technology and continue developing it.
Marcus wanted to sell the company to a larger corporation.
Their disagreement had nearly destroyed the business.
Davis took his seat.
"Thank you for meeting with me."
Marcus examined him.
"I'll be honest, Mr. Blackwood. We expected someone older."
"I've been told that before."
"You're proposing to invest in a company worth eighteen million pounds. What exactly do you bring to the table?"
Davis opened his briefcase.
"Capital, a restructuring plan, and an opportunity for Nexora to expand without abandoning its existing products."
Adrian leaned forward.
Davis outlined his proposal.
Blackwood Capital would acquire a controlling interest in Nexora. The company would retain its core development team, resolve its shareholder dispute, and expand into financial automation and corporate software.
Marcus listened carefully.
"And what do you expect in return?"
"A profitable company with a strong future."
"That's it?"
Davis smiled.
"I don't invest in businesses because I want to tell people I own them. I invest because I believe they can become valuable."
Adrian exchanged a glance with Marcus.
For the first time in months, they were discussing the future rather than arguing about the past.
After two hours of negotiation, Davis received a preliminary agreement.
Blackwood Capital would acquire a controlling stake, subject to due diligence and final legal approval.
As he left the building, the system chimed.
[INVESTMENT MISSION COMPLETED.]
[REWARD: ADVANCED BUSINESS ANALYSIS UNLOCKED.]
[BONUS REWARD: £2,000,000 CASHBACK CREDIT.]
[NEW FEATURE: ASSET GROWTH TRACKER.]
Davis opened the new feature.
He whistled softly.
"This is getting ridiculous."
[SYSTEM RESPONSE: THE HOST HAS ONLY COMPLETED THE BEGINNER STAGE.]
Davis laughed.
"Of course I have."
His phone vibrated.
Another message from Sidney.
Davis, please. I know you're angry, but we need to talk. I still care about you.
Davis stared at the words.
He remembered the alley.
He remembered her standing beside Richard.
He remembered the way she had spoken about him as though he were worthless.
He typed a reply.
You made your choice, Sidney. Please respect mine.
Then he blocked the number.
He put his phone away and stepped into the waiting car.
The city stretched before him, full of opportunities and dangers he had yet to discover. Somewhere among those buildings, someone knew what had happened to his family. Somewhere, the truth was waiting. And soon, Davis Blackwood would be powerful enough to demand answers.